New Tales from the Borderlands drew mixed reviews. Critics who enjoyed it often singled out its characters and humor; the main reservations concern whether choices feel consequential, how well the quick-time events and exploration work, and the pacing of the story. Steam’s user-review summary is a separate, more negative signal, so there isn’t one universal verdict.
What kind of game is New Tales from the Borderlands?
Released worldwide on October 21, 2022, New Tales from the Borderlands is a single-player, choice-driven narrative adventure from Gearbox Software and 2K. It combines story decisions with quick-time events and has multiple endings. Those ingredients set up the central question in many reviews: do its interactive parts make the story more engaging, or interrupt it?
At launch, 2K listed the game for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Current availability and price may vary by platform and region; check the relevant storefront for its live listing.
What do critics say in New Tales from the Borderlands reviews?
Metacritic’s collection of critic reviews reflects a split rather than a single consensus. The positive case centers on the cast and comedy: reviewers who liked the game found its characters and humor appealing. The less favorable case questions whether its choices, exploration, and quick-time sequences contribute enough to the story. Some review excerpts also point to uneven pacing or scenarios that do not always land.
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- Pre-order to get the Adventure Capital Pack , featuring cosmetics for Anu, Octavio, and Fran, 10,000 in-game currency and an in-game FL4K Vaultlander collectible!
- The Deluxe Edition includes: The PlayStation 5 version of New Tales from the Borderlands & Tales from the Borderlands Full Game: Play as Rhys and Fiona in this hilarious, heart-wrenching story set on the desert world of Pandora.
- Decide the fates of altruistic scientist Anu, her ambitious, "streetwise" brother Octavio, and the fierce, frogurt-slinging Fran. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain, you'll claw and con your way through this thrilling five-part story!
- The Borderlands aren't just home to Vault Hunters, psychos, and weapons-corp CEOs—they're full of downtrodden, intrepid civilians just trying to get by. With a host of returning and fresh faces, this unforgettable tale is sure to delight fans new and old.
- The decisions you make determine how your story ends in unexpected ways. Whether it's Anu's vision of a universe that markets more than weapons, Octavio's dreams of fame and fortune, or Fran's frosty plot for revenge—their success or failure depends on you.
Characters and humor
For players who value personality and comic writing in a narrative adventure, the characters and humor are the clearest reasons to consider it. That praise does not mean every joke or character works for every reviewer; responses to the writing are part of the overall mixed reception.
Choices and endings
The game offers choices and multiple endings, but those features alone do not establish how much any particular decision changes the experience. A recurring critical concern is that decision-making may not feel as consequential as players expect. If meaningful branching is your main reason to play, reviews give you reason to temper expectations rather than assume every choice reshapes the story.
Rank #2
- New Tales from the Borderlands Deluxe
Pacing and interactive sequences
Reviews also differ on how effectively the game balances its story with quick-time events and exploration. Criticism focuses on these sequences feeling poorly integrated or not supporting the narrative; uneven pacing and scenario execution are additional reservations. These are review judgments, not a claim that every player will find the same sections frustrating.
How does Steam user sentiment compare?
Steam’s indexed listing showed a Mostly Negative user-review summary, with approximately 29% of reviews positive when the listing was accessed in 2026. This is a changeable snapshot, not a permanent score: both the percentage and review count can shift. Check the live Steam listing for the current summary before relying on it.
Rank #3
- THREE NOBODIES ON A MISSION Decide the fates of altruistic scientist Anu, her ambitious, "streetwise" brother Octavio, and the fierce, frogurt-slinging Fran. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain, you'll claw and con your way through this thrilling five-part story full of gun-toting goons, otherworldly beasts, and delicious tacos.
- AN EXPLOSIVE CINEMATIC ADVENTURE The Borderlands aren't just home to Vault Hunters, psychos, and weapons-corp CEOs—they're full of downtrodden, intrepid civilians just trying to get by. With a host of returning and fresh faces, including an assassin bot with comedic aspirations and a less-murderous-than-usual bandit, this unforgettable tale is sure to delight fans new and old.
- YOU CONTROL THE FINAL OUTCOME The decisions you make determine how your story ends. Whether it's Anu's vision of a universe that markets more than weapons, Octavio's dreams of fame and fortune, or Fran's frosty plot for revenge—their success or failure depends on you.
Steam users and professional critics are distinct groups, and their summaries should not be collapsed into one rating. Metacritic’s critic excerpts show both praise and criticism, while Steam’s captured user summary is markedly negative. Neither tells you that all critics or players agree.
Is New Tales from the Borderlands worth playing?
It is a more promising fit if you are drawn to character-focused comedy and are comfortable with a narrative adventure whose interactive elements have been criticized as uneven. It is a less certain pick if your priorities are highly consequential choices, consistently strong pacing, or exploration and quick-time events that feel essential to the story. The mixed critic reactions and negative Steam snapshot make those preferences more useful guides than a blanket recommendation.
Rank #4
Platforms and launch-era edition details
2K’s October 21, 2022 launch announcement lists the game for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Take-Two’s launch-era release material listed a $39.99 Standard Edition and described it as digital format only. That is historical pricing and format information, not a current offer; check your region’s store for today’s edition options and price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- All 5 Tales From The Borderlands episodes packaged together - This epic interactive adventure is a great addition to any gamer's collection.
- Your Choices Matter - Enjoy unique experiences full of Borderlands' trademark humor and change the course of the story, making this tale yours.
- From Telltale Games - The award-winning pioneers of episodic gaming content, including The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and Minecraft: Story Mode.
- Explore Pandora and More – Re-experience familiar and new landscapes on the mysterious planet. From the Atlas Biodome to the Hyperion facilities on Helios, discover more of the Borderlands Universe than ever before.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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